Other Tips and Tricks

One of the most compelling changes in Microsoft Office 2010 is the addition of Backstage View. Backstage View is the new interface in Microsoft Access 2010, Excel 2010, InfoPath 2010, OneNote 2010, Outlook 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Project 2010, Publisher 2010, SharePoint Designer 2010, Visio 2010, and Word 2010. It is an MS Office-wide interface and marks one of the best improvements in the new version.

Backstage View is essentially the reworking of the data and options that used to be under the File tab in older versions of Microsoft Office. Instead of the drop-down tab that used to be used, now Backstage View presents everything on one page.

Accessing Backstage View is as easy as anything. Simply click on the File tab, and Backstage View opens immediately. From Backstage View you can check out a pile of options about how to manage your files and how to create new files or save old ones.

In fact, everything you could ever want to do to a file in Microsoft Office can be found in Backstage View.

Backstage View features all of the information you need to know about your document. It has the basic stuff, like saving, opening and closing options. You can also access recent documents from the pane and open up brand new documents. Printing options are also packed into Backstage View, as are file permissions and versions of the file you may be working on.

Backstage View also helpfully aligns your file properties on the right-side pane, showcasing the length of time you’ve spent working on the open file and the modification dates. You can even add another author to create different access points for the file.

Awesome stuff.

Sharing options are also possible through Backstage View. A simple click of the pane will open up all of the options for prepping your file for sharing. Security fixtures and document properties are ready and available for adjustment if necessary.

At the end of the day, I really find MS Office 2010’s Backstage View a highly enjoyable feature. It arranges all of the basic file information and options in one place, making it easier than ever to work through your files.